UK to amend ATOL scheme
Posted: Fri 4 Feb, 2011 2:02 PM
The UK s new government intends to amend the Air Travel Organisers Licensing (ATOL) scheme to protect holidaymakers.
Theresa Villiers, Transport minister, UK, was quoted in eTurbo News as having said that reform was needed to secure the sustainability of the Air Travel Trust Fund so it could continue to provide financial protection for consumers, while reducing and eventually eliminating the exposure to taxpayers. The planned amendments to the ATOL scheme include covering flight plus holidays where flights and hotels are booked during a short period of time but are not defined as package holidays; compelling travel agents to tell tourists if a break is not ATOL-protected so they can consider taking out separate insurance; and amending current arrangements to make the scheme clearer for would-be holidaymakers.
Revisions were last made in the ATOL scheme in 1995. The reform is expected to come into effect early next year.
